SEMINAR ON “FLOODS 2022 AND ANIMAL WELFARE IN PAKISTAN” TO MARK THE WORLD ANIMAL DAY 2022
Brooke Pakistan (Brooke Hospital for Animals – Pakistan), in collaboration with the Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab, and GULAW (Give Us Life Animal Welfare) hosted a Seminar on “Floods 2022 and Animal Welfare in Pakistan” to mark the World Animal Day 2022 at Faletti’s hotel, Lahore on Tuesday, 11th Oct 2022. This seminar was arranged to share animal welfare issues in the flood-affected areas and how Brooke Pakistan and other organizations responded to the relief operations and also to create a meaningful dialogue with the government, academia, and civil society organizations to highlight the needs for disaster preparedness and development of resilient animal owing communities.
Representatives from the Ministry of livestock, academia, NGOs and animal welfare alliance members, and a large number of media and journalist community participated in the event. Mr. Sardar Shahabuddin Khan Seehar, Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development, Punjab was the honorable chief guest on this auspicious occasion. The minister said he will make sure the laws for animal welfare in the province are updated. The event featured the participation of Ms. Aysha Iqbal (MPA Punjab), Prof Dr. Masood Rabbani President of Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council Convener (PVMC), Prof Dr. Aneela Durrani (UVAS), Ms. Tahira Rasool (TAWF) and Dr. Zaubia Barri (Additional Director of Livestock).
Mr Naeem, Advocacy Manager Brooke Pakistan greeted the distinguished guests. In his welcoming note, he emphasized the scale of animals that suffered throughout Pakistan as a result of the flash floods. He also stressed to provide animal feed and vatrinary care to flood hit communities.
Dr. Javaid Iqbal Gondal, Programme Manager Brooke Pakistan said that “floods impacted 14 districts where Brooke Pakistan is working, affecting 657 equine animal owing and using communities” Brooke Pakistan provided first-aid and emergency treatment for 30,000 animals, 10,000 bags of green and dry fodder for equines and livestock, and 6000 human dry rations bags were distributed amongst the animal-owning communities”.
He further said that government line departments and NGOs should work in close coordination during disaster situations. Importance of coordination and cooperation with partners and government agencies incl. security agencies. We all should share and learn from partners & other organizations, and lastly skill sets like Knowledge of LEGS (Livestock Emergency guidelines and standards should be embedded into our veterinary curriculum and licensing of the veterinary practicing community. A video produced by Ahmad Umer Chaudhry – Fundraising & Communications Manager Brooke Pakistan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l-fdNnZABs) was shown to the participants on Brooke flood relief operations.
Mr. Sardar Shahabuddin Khan Seehar, Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development, Punjab gave the closing address, and he said that livestock is hit by lumpy skin disease and Floods in 2022 that caused serious losses. The livestock department has been arranging veterinary health camps and providing services to the animals. He commended Brooke Pakistan on prompt flood relief operations in 14 districts of Pakistan and helping out animals and the families who depend on them. He thanked Brooke for bringing all relevant stakeholders on board and hoping such share-and-learn events which he said will set a sustainable and conducive environment for the betterment of animal welfare and owners’ and farmers’ livelihoods. He also mentioned that there is a need for feed and fodder for the livestock-owning communities; civil society should step in for support.
- Contact Name: Ahmad Umer
- Contact Number: 9.23454E+11
- Contact Email: ahmad@thebrooke.org.pk
- Location: Lahore
- Organised by: The Brooke